Speech #710026069

Mr. President. The real strength which comes to the movement In favor of national origins comes because of the representation that has been made. and for which there is some little ground. that the nationalorigins clause will serve as a further restriction of immigration to the United States annually. In a very. very small way that is true. but. Mr. President. proponents of repeal of national origins have declared here on the floor their intent to move an amendment to the bill to repeal national origins. when it shall come before the Senateas it will come if we are successful In discharging the committee from the further consideration of that billthat will bring down the total immigration on the 1890 basis. now effective. to a point that will be no greater and to a point that may be less than that which would be permitted under the nationalorigins basis of immigration quotas. In all seriousness we shall endeavor to bring about the adoption of such an amendment to that bill calling for repeal of the nationalorigins clause. and with that done. Mr. President. what becomes of the argument that the nationalorigins clause is purely and simply a measure of further restriction of immigration into America? It does not exist at all. I Americans as a whole are in favor of restricted immigration. and. as a general thing. would be for a measure. I think. today. that perhaps reduced the present total of immigration to this country annually in some small way. but. Mr. President. when they know what this is all about. they can not turn to national origins asa basis and call ita purely restrictive immigration issue. because it is not that .at all. Why do not those who quibble about the further restrictions that national origins bring devote their time. their energy. and their attention to some restriction against the immigration that is. coming into the United States annually from Mexico. where an opportunity is afforded to restrict immigration to the extent of fifty or sixty thousand a yearfifty or sixty thousand coming from Mexico every year. without the semblance of restriction against that measure of immigration? If we are going to be sticklers for restricted immigration. there is the place to start in. not upon the people of Sweden and of Norway and of Denmark and of Germany and of Ireland. but upon the people of that country which has contributed so much less to our well being. to our progress. and to the history of our country. than those other people I mention haveafforded *